Cameroon Opposition Figure Faces Court Action Over Election Unrest, Government Announces

Election Demonstration in Cameroon
Numerous in Cameroon express anger that the president has secured an eighth presidential term

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion disputed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and EU calling for caution.

Minister's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he described as "unlawful" rallies causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Poll Figures

Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had before declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

On election result day, he said that armed men shot on protesters gathered near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Inquiry Launched

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the declaration of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he said, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the clashes.

The minister further mentioned that several officers of the security forces also sustained major harm.

Current Situation

Although the interior minister asserted the condition nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted barricades on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the roads.

Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a leadership vacuum.

Jennifer Barron
Jennifer Barron

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